Nancy Hanks by Rosemary Benet
If Nancy Hanks came back as a ghost
Seeking news of what she loved most
Shed'd ask first,
Where's my son?
What happened to Abe?
What's he done?
Poor little Abe,
Left all alone
Except for Tom
Who's a rolling stone;
He was only nine
The year I died.
I still remember
How hard he cried.
Scrapping along
In a little shack
With hardly a shirt
To cover his back,
And a prairie wind
To blow him down,
Or pinching times
If he went to town.
You wouldn't know
About my son?
Did he grow tall?
Did he have fun?
Did he learn to read?
Did he get to town?
Do you know his name?
Did he get on?
This poem Nancy Hanks by Rosemary Benet caught the attention of my fourth-grade mind. I loved this poem so much that I failed to turn in my fourth grade reading primer. I probably owe Bangor Schools my first-born child. Side note: each of my boys found a book they loved and failed to return. However, this time I had to pay. Life, go figure!
My initial affinity for Abraham Lincoln was connected to his mother's concern for him after her death. Even as a child it felt heartbreaking. The primer's image of Lincoln sitting hunched over a table with tattered clothes with a dimming fire behind him was haunting and reassuring at the same time. The image felt like determination to succeed. Even though my vision was hindsight, her concerns were for naught. Her boy was bred to succeed.
While the fourth grade me was minimally aware of who Lincoln was and what he represented, I continued to learn of him and his place in American politics over the years. The piques in my knowledge came in waves via movies, Obama's presidency, attempts to understand slavery and articles. As politicians go, I felt he was legit and committed.
When I got wind, we were heading to Pennsylvania, I quickly added a visit to Gettysburg. I'm not a historian, I'm not a military guru but I knew I had to be where he was. Not rational but completely real. I also was compelled by this election cycle as well as the need to be connected to something more substantiative than our candidates, superficial debates weighed on me. I hoped traveling back in time to another time of great divide, angst and uncertainty would help me see a positive future for this nation.
The Civil War began Spring 1861 when the divisions between the northern and southern states boiled over. One of the biggest divisions was regarding slavery. The Southern states were opposed to ending slavery. They were so committed to maintaining their way of life, they were willing to divide the nation by succeeding from the United States. Thus far, this was the only time our nation fought and killed its members.
As we prepared for the visit to Gettysburg, I felt myself drawn to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. He gave the address November 19, 1863. Fifty-seven years prior to my grandmother's birth November 19. 1920. I can be pretty superstitious. In my mind this meant I needed to read and understand this address. Like most American's I was very familiar with the beginning of the address..."Four score and seven years ago". My knowledge or understanding did not extend beyond that. Sad but true. It's not long or complicated. However, at times it was challenging to comprehend the phrasing.
As I dove into this speech trying to shove the words into my less than slightly less than porous brain, I struggled to retain the words from a time long ago. His words became more malleable as they entered my heart. Flashcard by flashcard I began to understand this was an undying call to this nation. A call to honor those who sacrificed their lives, a call to remember we were founded on liberty and equality as well as a call to assert our power as the People. How completely apropo to our current times.
As the time grew close to our arrival to Gettysburg National Military Park, my angst also grew. I still struggled to commit the last of the speech. However, once we arrived, my heart was completely moved. I swear I felt the call, the urgency and peace as I walked the tree covered trail to the building's entrance.
The Battle of Gettysburg lasted for 3 days. July 1-July3 1863. Our tour guide shared on July 3 the Union forces were able to push back the Confederate Army after a seven-hour battle at Culp's Hill. The Confederate general withdrew his battered troops on July 4th and headed to Virginia. There was so much blood shed the Plum Creek ran red with blood. Standing atop of Culp hill looking down to the creek and Devil's Den was eye opening. The close quarters, the rocky terrain and no bathrooms. All was a lot to absorb. For me the lack bathrooms was the line in the sand. Navigating the hill without equipment was minimal challenge today. in 1863 there was no paved area to the top. The number of rocks that seemed to appear out of nowhere were plentiful. A major trip hazard in the best of circumstances. Lincoln shared in the Gettysburg Address, "We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract." These men sacrificed all for this nation.
Standing at Culp Hill the last portion of the Gettysburg Address registered with me. "That we here are highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain. That this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom. And that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the perish from the earth." We the People are responsible for ensuring our government remains our government. This is not passive. It is a call to action. We are charged with actively understanding and vetting those we chose to represent us. We are charged with taking that trip to the voting booth and choosing who we feel is best to represent us. We are charged with ensuring apathy, fear and lies have no place in our government.
We have to honor all of our men and women who have struggled, fought and died for our freedoms and privileges. This election season honor our fallen troops by exercising your right to vote. Support the foundation of this nation by owning our responsibility to our government. VOTE!!
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